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SowetanLive reports that the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court heard on Monday how three Rand West municipal workers stole over R3m in state funds "out of absolute greed without remorse".
This came out when Jackie Tshabalala, Letitia Mafuta and Anna Ndangane were found guilty on 16 counts of theft for transferring money from the municipality's bank account into their own personal accounts more than 16 times between 2017 and 2018. In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Frans Mhlongo said there were no compelling or circumstantial evidence for the court not to give the three lengthy sentences and so set an example. "The three embezzled and abused public funds because it has become a norm for government officials and workers to feel entitlement to the state's purse," said Mhlongo. Tshabalala and Mafuta even went so far as to take the employer to the bargaining council after they were suspended and brought before a disciplinary hearing. Mhlongo pointed out that the stolen money was meant for the poor who were dependent on government funds and services. "Unlike many who have had to join the unemployment queue, the accused were equally permanently employed when they looted the funds. There is no excuse for their greediness," he argued. The magistrate postponed the case to 6 April.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Promise Marupeng at SowetanLive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page